diff --git a/electrum/gui/messages.py b/electrum/gui/messages.py
index 1cfda6c8a..9d2bae015 100644
--- a/electrum/gui/messages.py
+++ b/electrum/gui/messages.py
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 # note: qt and kivy use different i18n methods
 
+def to_rtf(msg):
+    return '\n'.join(['<p>' + x + '</p>' for x in msg.split('\n\n')])
+
 MSG_RECOVERABLE_CHANNELS = """
 Add extra data to your channel funding transactions, so that a static backup can be recovered from your seed.
 
@@ -8,7 +11,8 @@ Note that static backups only allow you to request a force-close with the remote
 If this is enabled, other nodes cannot open a channel to you. Channel recovery data is encrypted, so that only your wallet can decrypt it. However, blockchain analysis will be able to tell that the transaction was probably created by Electrum.
 """
 
-MSG_REQUEST_FORCE_CLOSE = """You may choose to initiate a cooperative close, or request the remote peer to force close the channel.
+MSG_REQUEST_FORCE_CLOSE = """
+You may choose to initiate a cooperative close, or request the remote peer to force close the channel.
 
 If you request a force-close, your node will pretend that it has lost its data and ask the remote node to broadcast their latest state. Doing so from time to time helps make sure that nodes are honest, because your node can punish them if they broadcast a revoked state."""
 
diff --git a/electrum/gui/qt/channels_list.py b/electrum/gui/qt/channels_list.py
index 6d0798a6e..1e447dd1b 100644
--- a/electrum/gui/qt/channels_list.py
+++ b/electrum/gui/qt/channels_list.py
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ class ChannelsList(MyTreeView):
         msg = _('Close channel?')
         force_cb = QCheckBox('Request force close from remote peer')
         tooltip = _(messages.MSG_REQUEST_FORCE_CLOSE)
-        tooltip = '<qt>' + tooltip + '</qt>' # rich text is word wrapped
+        tooltip = messages.to_rtf(tooltip)
         def on_checked(b):
             self.is_force_close = bool(b)
         force_cb.stateChanged.connect(on_checked)
diff --git a/electrum/gui/qt/settings_dialog.py b/electrum/gui/qt/settings_dialog.py
index 07502200f..647d00b0d 100644
--- a/electrum/gui/qt/settings_dialog.py
+++ b/electrum/gui/qt/settings_dialog.py
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ class SettingsDialog(WindowModalDialog):
         if self.wallet.lnworker and self.wallet.lnworker.has_deterministic_node_id():
             help_recov = _(messages.MSG_RECOVERABLE_CHANNELS)
             recov_cb = QCheckBox(_("Create recoverable channels"))
-            recov_cb.setToolTip(help_recov)
+            recov_cb.setToolTip(messages.to_rtf(help_recov))
             recov_cb.setChecked(bool(self.config.get('use_recoverable_channels', True)))
             def on_recov_checked(x):
                 self.config.set_key('use_recoverable_channels', bool(x))